Typically, new Canon cameras sell for MSRP for a few to several months before discounting begins. It's a dealer decision, not Canon's. Why? Because there's always an initial crowd who have to have the newest thing and will pay full price to be the first in their group to have it. Bragging rights.

Personally, I rarely buy new any more; too expensive, and there's just too much hardly used equipment out there to justify passing up the savings.

In your case, what's the T4i got that would justify it over the T3i? Do you really need that additional feature(s), or is it just a case of having to have "the latest and greatest?"
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Landscaper